Tons of exposition here: more details about the play and Saeko finds out!
Also, I have no direct knowledge about the publishing process, so everything I've written about it is based entirely on hearsay. Please don't take offense if you actually know what goes on!
Natsuki, Nao, and Mai enter the cafeteria to see half of the tables empty and the noise level considerably down. All of the students seem to be reading something. The three are somewhat late to lunch because they just had a pop quiz in eighth grade science. They are in the same class this year while Aoi, Chie, and Tate are together this time. The ninth graders are still together.
The trio gets their food first and then head to where their friends are sitting. Middle school only has three grades, so the chances of them all having lunch together are high. Chance works in their favor once again.
"Where's everyone?" Nao asks as she looks around the cafeteria.
"You already forgot! The cast list went up five minutes ago. Scripts are out too. Everyone around us is reading it. I saw lots of girls skip lunch to rehearse right outside the drama room right now," Aoi informs. Those girls are crazy!
"Oh! I need to see which characters are still in the play!" Mai starts to get up, but Chie stops her.
"I got everyone a script," Chie passes the booklet to the late girls. Haruka, Yukino, Shizuru, Reito, Tate, and Aoi already received their copy.
"Hmm, only three of the twelve girls are featured," Mai concludes as she flips through the pages. At least my favorite is still there. I'm going to audition for Mina!
"Thank goodness! Mori-sensei is awesome for focusing on my three favorite characters! I skipped through all the parts with the other boring girls!" Nao exclaims. The other nine are lame-o.
"Does that mean you're going to audition for one of the roles, Nao?" Reito asks her.
"Hell no! I only like the way they fought and their monsters! If anything, I want to be Shizuka's kick ass purple hydra-squid, Kiyohime! It's the fiercest one!" Kiyohime all the way!
"Wrong! Natsumi's mechanical wolf, Duran, is so much better! Duran can freeze enemies, blow them up, blind them, and even has combat skills! Come on now! All Kiyohime can do is shoot poison!" Haruka passionately defends Duran's honor. Duran rules, Kiyohime drools!
"Out of its SIX heads! And it's way bigger than puny Duran!" Nao fires back in defense of her beloved purple hybrid. I bet two of Kiyohime's heads are enough to crush that weak Duran!
"Guys, guys, you're forgetting about Mina's Kagusutchi. It can fly and breathe fire!" Tate gives his opinion on the heated discussion. Flying and fire trumps everything!
"Who cares about that stupid bird!" Haruka and Nao yell at the same time. They look at each other in a new light and momentarily call a truce.
The boy slumps back into his seat.
"Boys. They just never learn they can't win verbally or physically against Haruka and Nao." Mai speaks the truth.
Yukino pats Tate on the shoulders to cheer him up. He smiles weakly to thank her.
While their friends were arguing, Shizuru and Natsuki were reading the key scenes in the script. Natsuki gasps catching everyone's attention.
"What's wrong Natsuki?" Shizuru asks in a concerned voice.
"Did you read the last scene yet?" Natsuki's voice sounds a little higher than usual.
"No, but let me do it real quick," Shizuru replies. The group does the same.
"What's wrong with it Natsuki?" I wonder what has gotten Natsuki so uncomfortable. Everything seems fine to me.
"Natsumi and Shizuka kiss! There's no kiss in the book!" Natsuki clarifies with a faint blush on her face. I should tell mom to demand Mori-sensei to take this part out! Natsuki, you idiot! You're not in the play and no one knows mom even wrote the book! Oh, right.
"But it's more rewarding for the audience if they kiss because the whole book is building up to their confession to each other. Sure, they hug in the book, but a kiss is more meaningful," Yukino concisely explains what everyone was thinking when they read the last scene. It's far more romantic if they kiss. Shizuka and Natsumi are so dreamy!
The group nods and smiles in Yukino's direction.
Natsuki sighs but only slightly agrees with Yukino. I like the book way better! What do they say? Moms know best? Yeah, that's it! My mom does know best!
"Reito, are you going to audition?" Mai asks.
"I think so. Ryuu is an interesting villain. He has no redeeming quality whatsoever. He just wants to destroy the world and then rebuild it with the carnival winner." Villains always have the most fun. They're not restrained by what's right and wrong. They can do whatever they want! I hope Mikoto doesn't think that's really me.
"I can already see it. Your fan base is going to skyrocket if you get the part! Girls love the bad boys." Mai sighs thinking about how predictable girls are.
"You're going to try out for Mina's part, right Mai?" Chie looks at Mai knowingly. Mai would be perfect for Mina!
"Yep! I like her innocence and strong sense of justice." Mai nods vigorously. She's just like me!
"What about you and Aoi?" Mai directs the question to them.
"We talked about this when we saw the character list, two people are needed for Ryuu's huge ogre, Miroku, so we'll try out for that! It would to be awesome if we got to fight Nao's Kiyohime, Haruka's Duran, and Tate's Kagusutchi!" Aoi answers for them. Even though Miroku loses in the end, he puts up a pretty good fight!
The five wanting to be monsters high five one another.
"What about you, Yukino? Are you interested in any parts?" Shizuru asks the girl not wanting her to feel left out.
"Um, I like Mashiro's role. She helps the girls discover their powers," Yukino says as she repositions her glasses. Mashiro is nice and helpful. She's like me the most.
"Yukino, you would make a great Mashio! Definitely try out!" Natsuki strongly encourages the girl.
Yukino smiles and says she will give it her best shot.
"Wow, we're like dominating the play if we get the parts. We could all be on stage together! But no, you two have to be party poopers!" Mai points accusingly at Shizuru and Natsuki.
"I agree! Your names even sound the same as the two main characters, really. Shizuru, Shizuka. Natsuki, Natsumi. Hell, they're only one or two letters off!" Nao points out what's so obvious to her, but interestingly, this little tidbit managed to elude the aforementioned girls.
Ara, I never thought of it that way before. Shizuru is very similar to Shizuka. Could this be a coincidence? But Aunt Saeko wrote the novel. I should ask Natsuki her thoughts on this. Then we can ask Aunt Saeko together.
Oh my god! Nao is right! Change the 'k' to an 'm' and Natsuki becomes Natsumi! Maybe this is just a one big coincidence. But mom wrote the book! I should ask Shizuru what she thinks about this. Then we'll go to mom to get the real story.
"Yo Fujino, Kuga! Snap out of it!" Haruka claps her hands in front of their face.
"Yes, Haruka," Shizuru turns to the girl.
"You can stop clapping now," Natsuki insists.
"Both of you were in la la land! You weren't responding to your names at all!" Chie tells the two girls.
"Sorry about that," Shizuru and Natsuki say together.
"Anyways, you guys want to come over to my house to rehearse for the auditions? Mikoto misses everyone!" Reito offers to them.
"Sure! I missed seeing Mikoto with her cute braids!" Mai speaks for the eight nodding auditioners.
"You guys can watch us pretend we're monsters!" Aoi exclaims to Shizuru and Natsuki.
"As much as I want to see Haruka and Nao butt heads, I can't. Shizuru's going to come over to help me on science. I did pretty badly on the quiz today. And there's no way I'm failing the test!" Natsuki convincingly declines the offer.
She looks at Shizuru intently with a hidden message in her eyes. I hope you understand what we're really going to be doing. Asking my mom the truth. Well, I'm technically not lying because I do need Shizuru's help in science class. We'll just do that after we talk to mom. Yes, that's the plan.
Shizuru successfully deciphers the occult message in Natsuki's viridian eyes. Oh, I see. Natsuki is getting better and better at acting! Although, I think the part about her needing help in science class isn't for show at all. I will tutor her after we talk to Aunt Saeko.
"Yes, I'm afraid everyone will have to make do without our appearances. Reito, please give little Mikoto Natsuki's and my sincerest apologies. We will make it up to her," Shizuru genuinely apologizes. Mikoto is a darling. Such a shame we won't get to see her.
"Don't worry about it!"
The lunch bell rings, and they start to get up.
"Okay, I'll see you guys later at Reito's house. See ya tomorrow Shizuru, Natsuki!" Tate sets off the chain of goodbyes. Unfortunately, the group does not have any classes together this year.
"I'll meet you in front of the gates?" Shizuru winks at Natsuki.
"Always," Natsuki winks back.
The school day comes to an end, and many students are especially eager to get home to practice their lines for the play. Auditions start in three days!
Shizuru and Natsuki bid their friends farewells and hope they have a blast rehearsing. Now that they are alone, they can finally discuss their thoughts on the controversial name issue.
"Do you think my mom did it on purpose?" Natsuki beats Shizuru to the punch.
"I was wondering about that. It's possible. We were about ten when the book came out. I don't know how long it took her to write it, but our names could have definitely inspired the characters' name."
"Do you feel weird if you knew your mom or aunt turned you into a superhero in her crazy popular book?"
"If you put it that way, I would feel honored and delighted to be in the 'crazy popular book' that Natsuki described," Shizuru honestly tells the girl.
"I guess you'll right. It is kind of great that our alter egos save the world from destruction!" Natsuki beams.
Shizuru laughs at her best friend's smugness.
"Hi girls!" Ryo's voice catches both of them by surprise.
"Father!"
"Uncle Ryo!"
"Where's mother?" Shizuru asks as she climbs into the SUV with Natsuki behind her.
"Oh, she's at Natsuki's house right now." Ryo starts to frown and says in a sad voice, "Shizuru-chan, don't tell me you want to see her more than me!" Let's see if I still got it…
"No! That's not what I meant at all!" Shizuru begins breathing deeply and her face is flushed with color. "Mother usually picks us up fr-"
"Gotcha Shizuru! Your mother said it's getting harder to make you blush now that you're older. Well, I just proved her wrong!" Ryo laughs merrily. Yep, still got it! Oh my little girl, you have much to learn from your mother and me!
"Father!" Shizuru complains. Only father and mother can take me by full surprise. Natsuki can too once in a blue moon, but she is nowhere near as potent as they are.
Natsuki watched the entire scene unfold with a dazed expression. Whoa. Uncle Ryo just made Shizuru fluster and blush within seconds! If Shizuru is the Mistress of Deception, he must be the Grandmaster and Aunt Aiko the Grandmistress of it! Yikes! The Fujinos are a scary clan.
"Anyways, what's new in school?"
"Uncle Ryo, you'll never guess what book Shizuru's teacher turned into a play!" Natsuki eagerly tells the man.
"Ooh, it must be a good one if you're about to jump out of your seat," he teases the girl.
Shizuru chuckles along with her father.
"Uncle Ryo! It's The Carnival of Destiny! Mom's book!"
"Wow! That is a good one indeed! I bet you can't wait to tell her, huh?"
Natsuki shakes her head up and down animatedly.
"Okay, we're home." Ryo's SUV stops in front of Natsuki's driveway.
Shizuru and Natsuki exit the vehicle. Shizuru walks to her father's car door, and he rolls down the window. "I'm going to go see mother and Aunt Saeko. I still love you father." She playfully taps him on his chest.
Ryo belly laughs remembering the earlier incident. He leans over and kisses Shizuru on the forehead. Shizuru-chan, you are the best daughter a father could ask for!
"Go tell them the good news, you two!"
Shizuru and Natsuki wave to him before they enter Natsuki's house.
"Mom! Aunt Aiko! Where are you guys?" Natsuki hollers as they peek into an empty living room. Hmm, it's kind of warm in here.
"Oh my god!" a distinct Kyoto accent squeals from somewhere close to them.
Shizuru instantly recognizes her mother's voice. "I think they're in the patio."
Warm air invades the kitchen bringing balmy heat as the clear folding panels that make up the kitchen's back wall are slid to the sides. The kitchen opens into a glass shaded patio where Saeko and Aiko are engrossed in some kind of reading material.
"Mom! Why did you open the kitchen if you're in the patio! Shizuru and I are going to melt! It's so hot in here!" Natsuki exaggerates. No wonder I was feeling warm.
"Then come out here!" Saeko calls out from the sofa she and Aiko are reclining on without looking up from her booklet.
Natsuki goes to the refrigerator and takes out two bottled water. She hands one to Shizuru and then both cross into the patio.
They plop themselves onto the sofa opposite the women.
"What are you guys reading?" Natsuki takes a swig from the bottle.
A minute of silence goes by until a satisfied sigh escapes from both Saeko and Aiko. They have just finished reading the booklet in Saeko's hands.
"Mori Rika is a very good writer," Aiko says to Saeko to which the blue-haired woman nods in agreement.
Shizuru's ears perk up at the mention of her teacher's name. "Mother, how do you know my literature teacher is a good writer?" They couldn't have known…
Saeko lifts up the booklet to reveal the cover.
Shizuru and Natsuki gasp from the bolded words on the cover: 'The Carnival of Destiny by Saeko Kruger' and then underneath it 'A Stage Play Adaptation by Mori Rika'.
"Mom, you know our school is making a play out of your book!" Natsuki grips the armrest tightly. Ugh! There goes the surprise.
"Yes, dear! I'm so excited!" She turns to Aiko, and they both giggle like school girls.
"Saeko, you should explain how you got a hold of the play's script. We need to get Shizuru and Natsuki looking normal again. Their eyes are still wide and their mouth is open. It won't be a pleasant sight if they're stuck like that forever." Aiko chuckles and so does Saeko.
Hearing Aiko's description of them was enough to get both girls' expression to return to normal.
"Well, two years ago, my publisher called me and said a teacher from Fuka Middle School wanted to get permission to do an adaption for the school play. I was surprised because the book has so many action scenes and descriptions. It would take forever! I understood the movie and anime adaptations because studios have the money, and money can be made from the adaptations once they're finished. But a middle school stage play makes little from ticket sales and no one is paying her to adapt it either. I consented anyways because it would be nice for the students to see my book in play version. I completely forgot about it until today when the publisher mailed me the full script Mori-sensei had sent them to give to me. She even wrote me a sweet letter praising my work and invited me to come watch the play if I could."
"Wow. Mori-sensei has been working on the play for two years. That is a ton of devotion," Shizuru says.
Natsuki, Saeko, and Aiko agree with her.
"Mori-san is very smart to focus on only three characters or else the play would never end! She also chose the three most popular girls to concentrate on," Saeko comments.
"Speaking of the characters, Shizuru and I want to ask you something mom," Natsuki looks at her mother nervously. Okay, here goes…
Saeko has a gleam in her eye, already knowing what her daughter wants to ask her. Ask and you shall receive Natsuki.
"Um, are Shizuka and Natsumi named after us?" Natsuki points between herself and Shizuru.
Saeko laughs loudly while Aiko just grins. The girls don't know how to react, so they just wait for Saeko to recover.
"Oh, you two! The book has been out for what four or five years, and I'm surprised you're just asking me that now! Honestly, you guys should know better! Of course the characters are named after you!"
They are stunned at the revelation. The girls had inklings it could be true, but hearing it straight from the author herself was something they didn't prepare for.
"Ara, Natsuki and I are sort of famous then," Shizuru says now that the truth is revealed.
"Yeah!" Natsuki pumps her fist into the air.
"Now don't you two get so bigheaded that you can't fit through the doors," Aiko jokes. These girls are so precious!
The four females start giggling.
"So mom, do you like Mori-sensei's adaptation?"
"Yes, I do. She's added some things I wanted to but couldn't."
"What do you mean by that Aunt Saeko?" Shizuru is puzzled that Saeko couldn't write what she wanted.
"Publishers want to maximize their profits, so they have the marketing department conduct surveys on public attitudes of all the demographics. When an author sends in a draft to the editors, it's not only checked for coherency but to see if it fits in with certain attitudes that the target demographic holds as well. To them, that's why people buy the books. I don't believe that at all. It's the characters and good plots that produce bestsellers. Anyways, if an author decides to switch things up and writes for a new genre for the first time, like my foray into young adult from adult fiction, the author has to strictly follow guidelines based on those public surveys. When I sent in my first draft, I didn't get the guidelines until afterwards. So I was very surprised when my editor and the publisher pushed me to develop Shizuka and Natsumi's friendship into something more. Apparently, girl/girl relationships were all the rage among teenagers five years ago. And I see it's still going on strong now. I even wanted them to kiss in the end, but that was too taboo. It was taken out in the final draft. After I read the finished product, I went back to my first draft and saw how utterly blind I had been! The way I initially wrote the two clearly hinted they were destined to be more than friends. I'm glad my editor wore her glasses when she read my first draft!"
Shizuru and Natsuki take a moment to digest the insider information on the publishing process.
"I can never be a writer. Too much restrictions! I rather be like dad and just draw what people want." Natsuki nods her head up and down.
"But Natsuki, what if you don't like or want to draw what the people ask for," Shizuru asks. I feel bad for questioning Natsuki's plans for the future, but she really needs to learn to play devil's advocate for any kind of big decisions she's going to make or arguments she's in down the road.
Natsuki is stunned by her question. Why do you ask difficult questions that I never think about!
Aiko smirks at her daughter's ability to identify the weakness in virtually every argument. Shizuru-chan, you take after your parents so well. Hmm, I'm afraid for our competitors if you decide to follow our footsteps into the business world.
Saeko examines Natsuki's thinking face. Thank goodness for Shizuru! She asks the tough questions that Natsuki ignores or is completely unaware of. Natsuki, if you want to be like your dad, you need to learn to explain what it is that he does that you love so much.
"I- I guess I should say I would rather be like my dad because he becomes a different person when he's holding sketching pencils or markers. His eyes just light up and you could feel his talent ooze onto the paper. I see my growing passion reflected in him. When I see him in that sort of state, I can't help but want to drop everything, grab a pencil, and sketch beside him. Seeing him lost in his work drives me to be a better artist. So to answer your question, I could hate the design the people want me to do, but I'll still do it because I get to do what I love, and that's all that matters." I hope that's something dad would say if someone asks him that question.
"I couldn't have said it better myself," Nobuo says proudly with unshed tears in his eyes. He walks into the patio with Ryo behind him. The man kisses Natsuki's forehead while she playfully attempts to swat him away. Natsuki, you are the best daughter a father could ask for!
Since Natsuki turned to look at her father, Saeko takes this moment to discreetly wipe her eyes. She tried to hold back the tears for as long she could during Natsuki's impassioned declaration. Natsuki, you have really matured through the years!
Aiko sees Saeko's action and gives the woman a heartfelt smile and a squeeze on the shoulder. Natsuki is like a second daughter to her. I am so proud of you Natsuki!
The men sit next to their wives and shower them with kisses.
Shizuru looks at Natsuki with nothing but great admiration and respect for the girl. You did it Natsuki! All you needed was a little push to get you there.
Natsuki turns to the girl who triggered her outpour of emotions just now. Shizuru has a large pillow on her lap to shield her from the overhead fan's power. Saeko had turned on the fan a few minutes after the girls' arrival. Natsuki maneuvers her hand underneath the pillow to search for the honey-haired girl's hand. She finds it and clutches it tightly but not painfully. I don't want to be gentle. I have to convey all of my gratitude through this touch because I don't want our parents to hear. It's embarrassing if they do! I hope you understand Shizuru.
Shizuru is startled by the pressure on her hand. Natsuki has never held my hand this tightly before. I know why she's doing this. Hmm, I would prefer to hear her voice, but she's probably reeling from embarrassment just from thinking about our parents listening in. But I like this way too. My hand in Natsuki's. Although mine is a tad bigger, Natsuki's grip is so strong that it feels like her hand completely envelops mine.
Saeko brings the men up to speed about the script in her hand.
"So girls, are you going to audition for Natsumi and Shizuka," Ryo asks them in a teasing voice.
"No way! Plays aren't Shizuru's and my style. We like to watch them though, right Shizuru?" she turns to see the girl's affirming nod.
"Aunt Saeko, will you always write under your pen name?"
"That's a good question Shizuru. I've been mulling it over for a while now. I wanted to remain anonymous when I began my career as a writer, so critics and readers alike could focus on my work and not my name. It was actually your mom who came up with the idea of a pen name." She gives Aiko a warm smile.
Aiko warmly smiles back.
"You guys weren't even supposed to find out until your teenager years that I wrote The Carnival of Destiny. You two were only ten when it first came out, about five years younger than my intended audience. If I didn't use a pen name, you guys would have been mobbed at school, and we would kiss our privacy goodbye. But you found out anyways almost a year after it was published."
Natsuki and Shizuru look at each other knowingly, remembering the day they discovered Saeko's secret. Saeko's editor was on speakerphone and was telling Saeko how the book had sold its ten-millionth copy. Shizuru and Natsuki walked into the living room hearing the conversation, and they were speechless for the longest time. They knew she wrote books but not the biggest book of their generation. So Saeko sat them down and with help from Aiko explained to them in a way that ten years could understand the importance of keeping her identity a secret. They both promised not to tell a single soul and have thus far upheld that promise.
"Now that you're older, I think you could fend for yourself if someone is being too persistent for an autograph from me. I have to talk this over with my publisher of course. My anonymity generates lots of free press for them. But then they would get lots more when people find out. Ultimately, it's my decision, and I do want to write under my own name. I want to see Kuga Saeko on the cover," she yearns.
"I do too!" Nobuo concurs and raises his hand in the air. Aiko, Ryo, Shizuru, and Natsuki's hand join his in the air too.
Saeko is sincerely moved by their support. "Thank you everyone!"
Nobuo notices the darkening sky and motions for them to continue their conversation inside. The Fujinos decide to stay over for dinner since everyone wants to hear the girls recount their friends' hilarious debate on the best monster in Saeko's book.
While the adults are preparing dinner in the kitchen, Natsuki and Shizuru slip into the living room.
"Hey Shizuru, I want to thank you for forcing me to explain how much I love my dad's job," Natsuki tells her with the utmost gratitude.
She leans forward and hugs the girl with the same vigor she put into her hand earlier. I wouldn't be the person I am today without you.
Shizuru returns the hug with equal force. I am always here for you Natsuki.
"Natsuki doesn't need to thank me. I was just being nosy earlier," she jokes.
The blue-haired girl silently laughs.
Shizuru then becomes serious. "I always want what's best for Natsuki. Sometimes I may be mean, but I only do it to help her in the long run."
Natsuki gently pulls away from the embrace. "No, be mean to me. That's probably the only way to get through my thick head."
They both grin.
"Girls! Dinner's ready!" Aiko's voice projects from the kitchen.
Shizuru and Natsuki happily go to the family dinner.
So I've switched things up with the play. Like it? Hate it? Express yourself!
Everyone must be dying to know if ShizNat is going to be in the play! I will just tell you patience is a virtue. A virtue that will pay off immensely in the next chapter that I have yet to write but have thought about!
It will be up by Thursday night!
Ja ne! (see you later in Japanese)